EXCLUSIVE: The River‘s Paul Blackthorne has been tapped for a co-starring role in the CW drama pilot Arrow, a modern retelling of the story of DC Comics character Green Arrow. It stars Stephen Amell as the vigilante superhero who fights crime using archery, martial arts and technology under his secret identity as Oliver Queen, a wealthy playboy and billionaire industrialist-turned-outspoken politician in Star City. Blackthorne, repped by SDB Partners, Seven Summits & Optimism Entertainment, will play Det. Quentin Lance, the father of Oliver’s love interest Laurel (Katie Cassidy), a gruff, determined city detective who believes true justice can only come from law and order. He’s charged with bringing the vigilante known as The Arrow to justice. Because of his casting being in second position to ABC’s The River, Blackthorne is formally billed as a guest star in the Arrow pilot.

Also tapped as a guest star (and probably recurring) in Arrow is Law & Order: Criminal Intent alum Jamey Sheridan, who will play Robert Queen, Oliver’s father. Susanna Thompson plays Oliver’s mother, Moira Queen. David Nutter is directing the pilot, written/executive produced by Andrew Kreisberg, Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim. Blackthorne is the first actor from ABC’s midseason drama The River to book a pilot. The horror drama, which premiered last month, has had rough sledding connecting with viewers and its odds for returning next season are slim. Sheridan has been recurring on Showtime’s Homeland.